HOUSE BILL NO. 5127

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending section 803f (MCL 257.803f), as amended by 2022 PA 143.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 803f. (1) A person An individual who is a totally disabled veteran with an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces may apply to the secretary of state if he or she the disabled veteran owns a private passenger motor vehicle, and the secretary of state may issue a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by the letters "DV" and the words "disabled veteran" inscribed beneath the registration number.

(2) Application An application for the a special registration plate described in subsection (1) must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, must not require a service fee under section 804, and must be accompanied by proof that the applicant was honorably discharged from the armed services United States Armed Forces and either 1 of the following:

(a) That If the applicant is a totally disabled veteran, that the applicant has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected total or permanent total disability rating for compensation.

(b) That If the applicant is a totally disabled veteran, that the applicant has been determined to have a service-connected total or permanent total disability rating and is receiving disability retirement pay from a branch of the uniformed armed services.United States Armed Forces.

(c) If the applicant is a partially disabled veteran, that the applicant has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability rating of not less than 50%.

(3) A special registration plate issued under this section to a totally disabled veteran described in subsection (2)(a) or (b) is exempt from the payment of the tax provided for in section 801.

(4) The A special registration plate issued to a totally disabled veteran described in subsection (2)(a) or (b) expires on the birthday of the totally disabled veteran in a year in which new plates are issued by the secretary of state. Application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2) for renewal.

(5) A special registration plate issued to a partially disabled veteran described in subsection (2)(c) expires as provided in section 226, and a partially disabled veteran shall apply for renewal of the special registration plate as provided in section 226. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2) for renewal.

(6) (5) The surviving spouse of a person an individual who is a totally disabled veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs of not less than 50% and an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces may use a special registration plate issued under this section after the death of the totally disabled veteran. and The surviving spouse may renew a special registration plate issued under this section after the death of the totally disabled veteran in the same manner as provided under this section for a totally disabled veteran with the same service-connected disability rating as the deceased disabled veteran. If applicable, a surviving spouse shall must apply for registration of the vehicle upon on which he or she the surviving spouse wishes to place the disabled veteran plate before using or renewing the plate as described in this section.

(7) (6) The If applicable, the secretary of state may issue to a disabled person veteran who has been issued a special registration plate under this section a tab for persons with disabilities. The tab for persons with disabilities must be an adhesive tab displaying that displays the international wheelchair symbol or a reasonable facsimile of that symbol. The tab for persons with disabilities may be attached only to the special registration plate issued to the disabled person veteran under this section.

(8) (7) An application for a tab for persons with disabilities must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. If the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran is a disabled person, he or she the surviving spouse may apply to the secretary of state for a tab for persons with disabilities in the same manner as provided for a totally disabled veteran under this subsection.

(9) (8) The A tab for persons with disabilities issued under subsection (7) must be issued free of charge.

(10) (9) When If a disabled person veteran who has been issued a tab for persons with disabilities renews his or her the disabled veteran's special registration plate under this section, the secretary of state shall issue a new tab for persons with disabilities to the disabled person, veteran, free of charge. The disabled person shall veteran is not be required to again furnish the proof required under subsection (7).(8).

(11) (10) The use of the a special registration plate or a tab for persons with disabilities issued under this section on a motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which the special registration plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(12) (11) As used in this section, "private passenger motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is personally owned by the a disabled veteran and is used for the primary purpose of transporting the disabled veteran and family members of the disabled veteran, but does not include a motor home.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.